THE final opportunity for local people to have their say at the Dunsfold Park inquiry last week triggered so many speakers that proceedings carried on into Thursday night.

Objectors seized the opportunity to protest that building 2,600 ‘green’ homes at the former World War II airfield near Cranleigh would blight one of the best views in Surrey and that 12,000 additional cars would cause traffic gridlock for miles around.

Meanwhile, supporters urged the planning inspector to uphold Dunsfold Park Ltd's appeal because the settlement would be self-sustaining, it would be built to the highest environmental standards and it would provide 910 urgently needed affordable homes.

“This is not 'nimby' resistance to providing for the greater good,” objected Chiddingfold resident Jenny Smart. “The local infrastructure simply can’t cope with such a large influx of people.”

Leading local artist Alexander Cresswell protested that the new settlement would ruin the “last magnificent view” in a landscape of enormous importance.

Alfold resident Betty Ames objected that if built it would mean her parish council would be accountable for a huge ‘gated’ village operating under its own community trusts.

“What awaits those families when they reach this village?” she said. “They do not know what it is going to cost them to live there for the service charges let alone the cordon charge for their car.”

Alfold resident Kay Newnham said her family would be materially affected by the plan but she supported it because it would breathe new life into the area.

“Some elderly supporters have felt intimidated by vociferous protesters,” she told the inquiry.

Speaking up for local young people unable to afford their own homes, 24 year-old Farley Green carpenter Dudley Hewitt said he had been on the housing list for six years and had been offered nothing.

“Dunsfold Park is the only option people like me have of buying our own homes any time in the future,” he said.

Enthusiastic support for the scheme came from Guildford Environmental Forum chairman John Bannister.

“The forum believes that the global ecological and climate crises should be at the heart of this inquiry,” he said.

“We want this exemplar development in our locality and for it to be a beacon for many others to follow.”

The 16-day public inquiry concluded on Friday. The planning inspector is expected to complete his report in the autumn and the final decision will be taken by the Secretary of State.

"Substantial" car use

In his closing submission to the inquiry on behalf of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Stop Dunsfold Park New Town campaign group, barrister Paul Stinchcombe said it was a major development in the wrong place that would choke local roads.

“The proposed development is not a commune or a Valhalla for eco-warriors,” he said. “The reality is that Dunsfold Park’s Sustainable Transport Strategy could not restrain substantial use of the private car.”

Waverley borough council’s barrister Timothy Mould QC said the proposed development, which includes an expansion of the existing business park, was one of the largest projects in the South East and would have a population of 7,000.

He told the inquiry the 910 affordable homes it would provide were not needed by Waverley to satisfy national policy requirements.

“There is no evidence to suggest an urgent shortfall in the five-year housing supply,” he said.

Dunsfold Park barrister Chris Katkowski QC was not convinced Waverley could deliver what was required.

“This is the opportunity to provide decent, affordable homes to may hundreds of people and the opportunity to show how we can live and work in a low carbon community,” he said.